Introduction To Keyboarding JSS1 Business Studies Lesson Note

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO TYPEWRITING / KEYBOARDING

Keyboarding is the act of producing written words or characters. The machine designed to produce characters on paper is called a TYPEWRITER.

A typewriter is a machine that enables the user to produce printed words i.e. it is an office machine designed for typing.

The typewriter was invented in 1864 by MulterHolter in Australia. Examples of typewriters are Alder, Olympia, Oliveth, IBM, Imperia, RankZerex, etc.

There are two types of typewriters:

(i)                  Manual typewriter: is operated manually by using human effort

(ii)                Electric typewriter: is electrically operated with electricity.

Typewriter has two typefaces namely piece and elite.

IMPORTANCE OF KEYBOARDING

1. It saves time
2. It makes documents neat and legible
3.   It serves as a means of earning a living
4. It ensures accuracy in figures, words, or characters produced.

USES OF TYPEWRITER

1. It is used for typing business documents, memos, legal work, etc.
2. It is used for typing personal documents – letters.
3.   It can be used for creating decorations
4. It is used to produce many of the document with the use of carbon paper

A person who uses a typewriter to type is called a TYPIST.

PARTS OF A TYPEWRITER AND THEIR USES

1. CARRIAGE: This is the moving part of the machine, it carries the paper from left to right.
2. CARRIAGE RELEASE LEVER: It allows the carriage to move freely to the left and right.
3. PLATEN KNOBS: This is the knobs situated at each end of the platen. It is used for turning the paper into a position.
4. CARRIAGE RETURN LEVER: This is used for turning up the right to begin a new line.
5. PAPER GUIDE: This is used in adjusting and guiding against the left-hand edge of the paper when a paper is inserted into the machine.
6. SHIFT KEY: When depressed, it enables the use of letters and other punctuation marks.
7. SHIFT LOCK: It enables continuous typing of capital letters.
8. PAPER RELEASE: It frees the paper in the machine when there is a need to remove, adjust, and insert the paper into the machine.
9. MARGIN STOP: This is used to fix the point at which the link of typing begins on the left side and ends on the right side of the paper.
10. COLOUR CHANGE ADJUST: It changes the colour to be typed on the ribbon either red or black.
11. PLATEN: This is the roller in which the paper is held.
12. PAPER BAIL BAR: This is the movable arm marked with a typing scale on which paper grips are mounted for easy typing.
13. BACKSPACE KEY: It moves the carriage from left to right one space for re-type.
14. SPACE BAR: It allows space between words.

GUIDES TO KEYBOARDING

All major parts of the body are involved when typing on the typewriter. The following must be observed anytime one is keyboarding;

•         Arms of elbows – must be hung loosely.
•         Back – straight with the body leaning forward slightly shoulders level
•         Body – position the body opposite the J key, a hand span from the machine
•         Feet – A part firmly placed on the floor one foot ahead of the other
•         Finger – curved under so that only the tips touch the keys.
•         Hands – close together low, flat across the back
•         Head – hold it erect facing the book.
•         Shoulders – hold them back and release
•         Chest – sit back in the chair
•         Wrists- keep them low barely touching the machine.

CARE OF TYPEWRITER

1. Clean the typeface daily before and after use
2. Cover the typewriter properly when not in use
3. The typewriter must not be moved from one desk to another
4. Dust the outer part of the machine and your desk after use
5. A repairman should be called if the machine develops faults.

MATERIALS FOR CLEANING THE TYPEWRITER ARE:

(i)                  A duster

(ii)                A long handle soft brush similar to a paintbrush

(iii)              A type of cleaning brush like a toothbrush

(iv)              A battle of best typewriter oil

(v)                A small bottle of methylated spirit.

EVALUATION

1. Define keyboarding
2. List and explain 7 parts of a keyboard as well as their uses

ASSIGNMENT

1. Outline 5 uses of a keyboard
2. State 5 guides to the effective use of a keyboard